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Dalek compost bin
Hi guys
I have two of the dalek style bins and worried they are not hot enough. I cant seem to find on the Internet whether i should have the vents open or shut. I have them shut as I thought it would keep the heat in. Any ideas ? Thanks
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Hello Sarah may
Normal garden composting doesn't need heat - it's having the right mix of materials, plus the action of bacteria and invertebrates to break down the material, that produces the compost.
If you have a really large compost heap then heat will build up and speed up the process which is an advantage, but not a necessity.
Hope that helps
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have these compost bins if you want the material to be warmer then turning them will help either from one bin to the other or just turning it in the bin
It is good to have a few to move the compost ever so often
Keep the door shut
Thanks guys, there are vents in the lid- you have to twist it to take it off and you can have vents open or closed. I do turn them every couple of weeks, add garotta and a good mix of green and brown. It was steaming back in spring and i was so excited!!! But it hasnt done since!
Turning it or mixing it will get it going again... I add fresh horse manure to mine, it is a great accelerator to get things cooking, but regular turning is the best way to keep it decomposing. Good luck.